The presentation of the findings of this article is based on an action research focused on the supportive role of the school in adolescents＇ lives, whereby Religious Education＇s contribution to the social and emotio...The presentation of the findings of this article is based on an action research focused on the supportive role of the school in adolescents＇ lives, whereby Religious Education＇s contribution to the social and emotional development of adolescents （11-15） is combined with the evaluation of the potential offered by a constructivist approach to the learning process. The research commenced in 2012 and is now in its third ＂year. The project is based on an intervention at a high school in an impoverished suburb of Athens and researches educational practices through interpretative-ethnographic methods. The researcher has attempted to answer the question of whether the design of the learning environments is effective not only in the learning process, but also on inter-communication and ＂connectedness＂ between the members of the learning community. The findings so far indicate a correlation between adolescents＇ emotional and social wellbeing and the school＇s approach to knowledge and learning methods, specifically in Religious Education classes. It is fair to say, however, that there exist ethnic, social and family components that are negatively related to a sense of＂connectedness＂ within the school although at the same time Religious Education as a subject is, however, found to be positively related to learning community atmosphere.展开更多
Rev. Smith has been appointed to be the pastor of First United Methodist Church （FUMC）. With the appointment, it comes a specific instruction that the church must be ＂turned around,＂ and it was Rev. Smith＇s respo...Rev. Smith has been appointed to be the pastor of First United Methodist Church （FUMC）. With the appointment, it comes a specific instruction that the church must be ＂turned around,＂ and it was Rev. Smith＇s responsibility to make it happen. FUMC has been in decline for many years under the leadership of several pastors. Rev. Smith is black and the congregation is predominately Caucasian and elderly, with longtime members who have stayed on because ＂this is their church.＂ Rev. Smith comes to the church bringing her experience, energy, and vision. This appointment is a cross-racial cross-cultural appointment, which is part of her denomination＇s mandate for the future, as it places pastors that reflect the diversity of the surrounding community in churches that do not currently look like the community around them. Currently FUMC does not interact with the community--it does ministry ＂to＂ the community but not ＂with it.＂ Therefore, from the beginning, Rev. Smith knew that her job would not be easy. She accepted the appointment believing that a ＂new wind＂ must blow through the church bringing forth spiritual revival. She now faces a crucial issue in the church, which she feels is in a make or break situation. First United Methodist is located in an urban environment. FUMC has been in this city for 133 years but has been at this site for 83 years. Originally, the neighborhood consisted of predominately white, blue-collar workers, but has since transitioned into a neighborhood community of mostly African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and Hispanics. When the church was fwst built in this neighborhood and for many years after that, both consisted of white blue-collar workers. As the neighborhood began to change, no efforts were made to develop new programs or a more inclusive worship to include the growing diversity. The lines are drawn; Rev. Smith knows it but she is determined to turn First Church United around. As she has said before in conversations with the church, ＂God called me into min展开更多
文摘The presentation of the findings of this article is based on an action research focused on the supportive role of the school in adolescents＇ lives, whereby Religious Education＇s contribution to the social and emotional development of adolescents （11-15） is combined with the evaluation of the potential offered by a constructivist approach to the learning process. The research commenced in 2012 and is now in its third ＂year. The project is based on an intervention at a high school in an impoverished suburb of Athens and researches educational practices through interpretative-ethnographic methods. The researcher has attempted to answer the question of whether the design of the learning environments is effective not only in the learning process, but also on inter-communication and ＂connectedness＂ between the members of the learning community. The findings so far indicate a correlation between adolescents＇ emotional and social wellbeing and the school＇s approach to knowledge and learning methods, specifically in Religious Education classes. It is fair to say, however, that there exist ethnic, social and family components that are negatively related to a sense of＂connectedness＂ within the school although at the same time Religious Education as a subject is, however, found to be positively related to learning community atmosphere.
文摘Rev. Smith has been appointed to be the pastor of First United Methodist Church （FUMC）. With the appointment, it comes a specific instruction that the church must be ＂turned around,＂ and it was Rev. Smith＇s responsibility to make it happen. FUMC has been in decline for many years under the leadership of several pastors. Rev. Smith is black and the congregation is predominately Caucasian and elderly, with longtime members who have stayed on because ＂this is their church.＂ Rev. Smith comes to the church bringing her experience, energy, and vision. This appointment is a cross-racial cross-cultural appointment, which is part of her denomination＇s mandate for the future, as it places pastors that reflect the diversity of the surrounding community in churches that do not currently look like the community around them. Currently FUMC does not interact with the community--it does ministry ＂to＂ the community but not ＂with it.＂ Therefore, from the beginning, Rev. Smith knew that her job would not be easy. She accepted the appointment believing that a ＂new wind＂ must blow through the church bringing forth spiritual revival. She now faces a crucial issue in the church, which she feels is in a make or break situation. First United Methodist is located in an urban environment. FUMC has been in this city for 133 years but has been at this site for 83 years. Originally, the neighborhood consisted of predominately white, blue-collar workers, but has since transitioned into a neighborhood community of mostly African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and Hispanics. When the church was fwst built in this neighborhood and for many years after that, both consisted of white blue-collar workers. As the neighborhood began to change, no efforts were made to develop new programs or a more inclusive worship to include the growing diversity. The lines are drawn; Rev. Smith knows it but she is determined to turn First Church United around. As she has said before in conversations with the church, ＂God called me into min
